From July 4 to 7, Utah Education Association (UEA) delegates joined others in Philadelphia, PA, to set goals and priorities for the nation’s largest union at the National Education Association (NEA) Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly (RA). UEA is an affiliate association of NEA.
The RA is the world’s largest democratic deliberative body and the top decision-making body for NEA’s nearly three million members. Every year, delegates—representing state and local affiliates, student members, and retired members—come together to draft and debate new policies, adopt a strategic plan and budget, listen to speeches from NEA leaders and other prominent educators, and elect new leaders.
The 2024 RA is held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia, the site of NEA's first meeting and founding in 1857.
Over the four days, the RA’s work will reflect on and touch upon the many victories NEA members have won over the past year but also acknowledge and prepare for ongoing challenges—advocating for higher pay, better working conditions, mental health support, and racial and social justice.
This is a critical moment for millions of America’s educators and the families who depend on our public schools. Anti-public education forces are organizing to siphon off precious funding from public schools and censor what teachers can and cannot teach in their classrooms.
Utah Education Leader in the Spotlight
Delegates at the RA will also hear from Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, and Jen Bramson, the Education Support Professional of the Year.
An early childhood educator in Park City, Bramson is a Utah School Employees Association leader, activist, and skilled lobbyist who has spent countless days raising awareness among elected leaders about ESP needs and contributions.
Addressing Critical Issues
At every RA, the delegates discuss some of the most pressing issues facing public education and consider a host of new business items (NBIs) that will define much of NEA’s advocacy work going forward.
RA delegates will also weigh NEA’s new policy statement on artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Since the fall of 2023, a task force of NEA members, led by NEA Secretary-Treasurer Noel Candelaria, has been meeting and talking with other educators and experts. Their 5-page, proposed policy statement was reviewed at an open hearing of RA delegates on June 24, and will be voted on during the RA.
“Where AI once seemed like something coming in the future, it’s clear the future is now,” said Candelaria, at this week’s hearing. “For NEA, we need to be at the forefront of how this technology is regulated and used.”
